Meaning
Any sudden brightening of a previously inconspicuous star.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Feminine nominative singular of Latin novus (“new”). The feminine is used since stella (“star”) is feminine; thus nova is a shortening of nova stella (“new star”), first used in this sense in 1573 by Tycho Brahe.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 7 recorded puzzles: